WICT UK celebrates chapter expansion into Ireland
Women across the UK tech and telco industry came together in Dublin to celebrate the expansion of WICT UK into Ireland, creating WICT Network UK & Ireland.
With over 10,000 members worldwide, The WICT Network brings together like-minded colleagues, providing mentorship, masterclasses, and development programmes led by industry leaders.
The Ireland launch, held on 28 September, included a panel discussion about career progression for women in the sector that included insights from Madalina Suceveanu, WICT UK President and Liberty Global MD of Mobile & Cloud, Aine Ni Chaoindealbhain, Deputy MD at Virgin Media Television, Maria Guinane, EMEA Senior Director of Renewal Sales at Service Now, Natasha Haveron, Senior Director of Systems Engineering Management at Service Now and Suzanne Tracy, CTO at Siro.
The discussion was hosted by Monika Nowak-Toporowicz, Virgin Media Ireland CTIO and Ger Treacy, Sport Present and Reporter at Virgin Media TV, with introductory and closing remarks from the global WICT Network CEO, Maria Brennan.
The panellists shared their insights on developing your leadership style, the importance of diversity in the workforce, and their tips and tools to progress your career. Ger also had a fireside chat with Kate Sheehan, Senior Operations Manager at Virgin Media Ireland and former Munster Rugby player. Kate shared her personal story of resilience and determination, never giving up on her rugby dream.
The key takeaways?
· Prioritise DE&I and a diverse candidate pool when you interview for roles at your organisation
· Focus on creating a safe space for women to be their best selves at work where colleagues feel supported in sharing their experiences and opinions
· Go beyond networking and cultivate genuine connections with the people around you. Find a coach or a sponsor, who will advocate for your development and trumpet your successes
· Understand your strengths and where you bring value to the business – and invest in your growth in this area
· Be resilient – take risks, hone your skills, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way
Madalina, our WICT UK & Ireland Chapter President, said: “We each need to understand what the world – our business, our customers, our team – needs from us. Narrow down where you bring value and impact and focus your energy, learning and development on this. Put your hand up for each opportunity – be 100 percent ready to step out of your comfort zone, knowing the experience will help you grow. And always keep learning, sharing and shining on your journey.”
Find out more about becoming a member in the UK.
